FEEDING. 323 



lent cathartic, and had brought on a complaint of which 

 they all died in less than 24 hours : the hive was found to 

 contain an ample allowance of honey and bee-bread. 



If the Apiarian, on examining the condition of his stocks, 

 finds that some have more than they need, and others not 

 enough, his most prudent course will be to make an equita- 

 ble division of the honey, among his different stocks. This 

 may seem to be a very Agrarian sort of procedure, and yet 

 it will answer perfectly well in the management of bees. 

 Those that were helped, will not spend the next season in idle- 

 ness, relying upon the same sort of aid ; nor will those that 

 were relieved of their surplus stores, remember the depri- 

 vation, and limit the extent of their gatherings to a bare 

 competency. With men, most unquestionably, such an an- 

 nual division, unless they were perfect, would derange the 

 whole course of affairs,and speedily impoverish any commu- 

 nity in which it might be attempted. I always prefer to take 

 away a considerable quantity of honey from my stocks, 

 which have too generous a supply, and to replace it with 

 empty combs suitable for the rearing of workers ; as I find 

 that when bees have too much honey in the Fall, they do 

 not ordinarily breed as fast in the ensuing Spring, as they 

 otherwise would. A portion of this honey should be care- 

 fully put away in the frames, and kept in a close box, safe 

 against all intruders, and where it will not be exposed to 

 frost ; so that if any colonies in the Spring, are found to be 

 in want of food, they may easily be supplied. 



In the Spring examination, if any colonies have too much 

 honey, a portion of it ought by all means to be taken ajvay. 

 Such a deprivation, if judiciously performed, will always 

 stimulate them to increased activity. Every strong stock, 

 as soon as it can gather enough honey to construct comb, 

 ought to have one or two combs which contain no brood 



